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Minister Ross and Minister of State Griffin welcomed today’s news regarding the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series of five annual games due to take place in Ireland between 2020 and 2024. In particular, the Ministers are excited to be hosting the Notre Dame and Navy teams for the first of these matches, which will take place in the Aviva Stadium on 29th August, 2020.

In welcoming today’s announcement and pledging the support of our tourism agencies, Minister Ross said:

Sports-related tourism has emerged as a very significant element of the global travel business in recent years and this will be another wonderful opportunity to showcase Dublin and Ireland, and more generally the many attractions that the island of Ireland offers as a holiday destination. It’s terrific that the games are coming back to Ireland again and I know all involved will benefit hugely.

I know that Tourism Ireland in the US looks forward to working closely with relevant travel partners to maximise the tourism benefits of the game by highlighting travel packages. These include lots of great suggestions for golf, city tours and longer-stay holidays, to thousands of supporters, alumni associations, family and friends.

Minister of State Griffin added:

We are delighted to welcome Navy and Notre Dame fans back to Irish shores in 2020 for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Given the great boost for tourism this international sporting event has brought to the country in the past, we are very excited to host it once again - events such as these provide an ideal starting point for many fans to venture around the country and enjoy a huge range of tourism experiences and attractions, making a memorable holiday in Ireland.